Elaine’s row of a lifetime starts
Adventurer Elaine Hopley has embarked on a daunting 3000mile solo row across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean.
The former ski instructor left the sunshine island of La Gomera in the Canaries on Wednesday after spending years preparing for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge to Antigua.
Outdoors endurance specialist Elaine (44), from Dunblane, spent days unpacking and preparing her 7m R20 Ocean Rowing Boat – christened Jan in tribute to her mum – for the task ahead.
A dozen boats are taking part in this year’s event, with just four solo participants. Others are competing in fours and pairs.
Elaine, who aims to become the first female to row the Atlantic single-handed in more than a decade, said: “The first priority on arrival was getting the boat and all the equipment ready for race day.”
It’s the culmination of a year’s fundraising and training for the challenge of a lifetime. “The boat and my kit have been subjected to a strict scrutineering process. Everything had to be laid out to ensure nothing was overlooked and it all met the right specification,” Elaine said.
“I didn’t anticipate any issues as there had been no technical problems with my training and I managed to tick the final boxes on the list of equipment two days before the deadline.
“Before even launching the boat I had to apply a special yacht polish and plumb in my water maker, which was a full day’s job.
“I wanted to get out on the water as quickly as possible to sample the conditions and the temperatures. But I wasn’t venturing too far offshore before the starting gun!
“I’ve had no nerves, I’m fine. I was working up to Wednesday last week in my home improvements business. If I don’t work I don’t get paid!
“Training has been full on for the last 11 months and, of course, I have been securing sponsors. Trying to get the funding together has been more stressful than the training.
“I am still looking for additional sponsors because I have to get the funds together to bring the boat back to the UK from Antigua.
“It’s really hard for solo rowers to get to the start line. But everything seems to be in place and I’m the sort of person who is used to doing things for myself.”
Dunblane businesswoman Elaine’s epic